Gene Lusk

Thomas Eugene Lusk (June 4, 1920 February 14, 1969) was an American politician from the state of New Mexico.

Gene Lusk
Member of the New Mexico Senate
In office
1953–1961
Personal details
Born(1920-06-04)June 4, 1920
Lovington, New Mexico, U.S.
DiedFebruary 14, 1969(1969-02-14) (aged 48)
Carlsbad, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
ParentsGeorgia Lee Lusk (mother)
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1942–1946

Early life and education

Lusk was born in 1920 on a ranch near Lovington, New Mexico to Dolph and Georgia Lee Lusk, who served one term as U.S. Representative. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in 1937 and the University of Michigan in 1948.

Career

Lusk began practicing law in 1949. Lusk also served in the United States Army from 1942 and 1946.

In 1952, Lusk was elected to the New Mexico Senate, serving as majority leader from 1957 until 1959.[1] In 1960, he ran for the United States House of Representatives, but lost in the Democratic primary to Joseph Montoya. He ran for Governor of New Mexico in 1966, defeating John Burroughs in the primary, but narrowly losing in the general election to David Cargo.[2][3][4] He served as a delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention.[1]

Personal life

Lusk married Phyllis Raymond in 1943. They had three children: Ann, Allison, and Bill.[1]

Lusk died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on February 14, 1969 while visiting his wife in the hospital.[1]

References

  1. CARLSBAD CURRENT-ARGUS, Carlsbad, Eddy County, New Mexico, dated for Sunday, February 16, 1969, front page, reads as follows: LUSK FUNERAL SET MONDAY.
  2. "NM Governor D Primary 1966". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  3. "NM Governor 1966". Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  4. David Francis Cargo; Dennis Domrzalski (2010). Lonesome Dave: The Story of New Mexico Governor David Francis Cargo. Sunstone Press. pp. 127–. ISBN 978-0-86534-753-3.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jack M. Campbell
Democratic nominee for Governor of New Mexico
1966
Succeeded by
Fabian Chavez Jr.
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